What do you think could be the problem?

[pr240sx]

Soon to be turboed KA

Compression is:1=1502=1603=1604=150

Runs strong, idles is fine butCoolant slowly (within a week) disappears from the reservoir, small bubbles (almost unnoticeable) appears at the filler neck when revved.No smoke, no overheat.Plugs have a very rare reddish color.

Owner (my cousin) wants to turbocharge it. My opinion is that headgasket has a failure and at least a ring job will be needed to raise compression before turboing.What to hear your opinions and suggestions.

[crzycav86]

do it. ka's are cheap.

[LEMHEAD16]

my compression is 150 across the board and I made 220hp/257tq. I say Turbo it and if the engine fails by another one for cheap.

[pr240sx]

We notice today that coolant was dripping slowly into the ground.A faulty waper pump that was leaking so slowly that was unnoticeableunder the car.We presurized the cooling system to 12 psi (using compressed air) for 30 mins. The leak was obvious and replace the pump.compression numbers still low though.So.... there is going to be another KA-T in the family!!

[Florida240sx]

If paln for under 10psi I wouldn't worry.However if you plan for 15psi than in any case should at least upgrade HG. I jsut picked up a ka for $300. So just keep the block intact if it blows.Because then you can go forged in it.

[Mustangs_Suck]

my compression was like

140150140150

she's been boosting for 5k miles and no problems with the motor yet, still runs strong.

I have a *very* slow drain with my coolant too...weird. I maybe have to refill the overflow container like once a month...very very slow drain, oh well.

Go for it, if it blows - as others have said - KA's are plentiful and pretty cheap so far...even though it seems they are going up in price lately. I've been looking for one, and the cheapest I've found is around $600...

[DammitBobby]

Wow I guess I got a real good deal. I bought mine for 525.00 all ready rebuilt including the head and timing chain installed:)

[KATwo40]

hehe I got ya'll beat. Just bought two KADE's for 400 bucks. One had 65k miles, other had 98k miles. Both have twin S13 exhaust cams.

Anyhow, back to the post topic...

I've been running boost on my KADE for a year now with no issues. First 4-5mos I ran 6-7psi, since then I've run 10-11psi, no problems. Now that I'm upgrading the turbo, I'll drop it down to 6-7psi again until I upgrade the tuning system, at which point I'll go 12psi.

This, btw, is on a bone stock KA24DE, unopened, stock HG, 170k miles. I'll run it until it starts downhill, then swap to the other one in the garage with the twin S13 exhaust cams.

I'd say boost that bad boy.

[chad_KAT]

Are u guys checking your coolant when the cars cold or when its at operating temp?

[pr240sx]

I always check at the reservoir when hot, at the radiator when cold.

[pr240sx]

Nevermind, waterpump was leaking from the lower seep hole SO slowly that was dripping thur the front cover, going to the oil pan flange and was barely noticeable.